ASTOR'S FIRST WIFE TO ATTEND FUNERAL

New York, May 3.

     The train bearing the body of John Jacob Astor reached Rhinecliff-on-Hudson.  With it were Vincent Astor, Colonel Astor's son, and Nicholas Biddle of Philadelphia.  The train was astopped at Ferncliff dock, a small station on the Astor estate, about a mile and a half from the house.  A party of old employees of the Astor family were at the station ready to meet the train.

     The private car Oceanic, which brought the body from Halifax, was dropped from the train and switched to a siding.  The employees then lifted the box containing the casket from the car and carried it to an undertaker's wagon.  Vincent Astor and Mr. Biddle went directly to the house ane were met there by Mrs. Astor, her mother, Mrs. William H. Force, and her sister, Miss Katherine Force.

     The funeral will be held tomorrow at noon from the Church of the Messiah at Rhinebeck, of which Colonel Astor was a warden for 15 years.  The Rev. Ernest Saunders, rector of the parish, and the Rev. Dr. William Manning, rector of Trinity church, New York, will officiate.  After the service the body will be placed on a special train and brought to New York for interment in Trinity cemetery.  His body will be placed beside that of his mother Mrs. William Astor, who died on Oct. 30, 1908.

     It was said at the house of Mr. Astor that Mr. Astor's former wife, Mrs. Ava Willing Astor, and her daughter Muriel, would go to Rhinebeck for the funeral.  It was said that possibly the family would follow the custom of reading the will after the interment ceremonies are over.  At this proceeding it was said Mrs. Ava Willing Astor would be present.